Oil handling and monitoring device and system

ABSTRACT

An architecture is presented that provides an oil monitoring device designed primarily to monitor, measure, and display measurement parameters for a containment tank of fresh or waste oil. The monitoring device can be positioned on the containment tank of fresh or waste oil, or can be positioned proximate to the containment tank, as long as the monitoring device remains in communication with the containment tank. The monitoring device comprises a real-time level sensor that is in communication with the containment tank of cooking oil. The level sensor measures usage and collection volumes, as well as filtration status of the containment tank in real-time and displays the information to a user via a display. Furthermore, the monitoring device comprises alarms to alert users of specific oil levels. The monitoring device can either be a stand-alone device or be linked to a computer program to function as a data management system.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of handling and management ofwaste cooking oil and fresh cooking oil.

BACKGROUND

Health and safety issues along with finding ways to reduce costs oflabor and food are ongoing efforts for every restaurant across theworld. One area that always has high safety and cost concerns in anyrestaurant that fries food is the handling, use and removal of cookingoil. Much has been done to automate the handling and use of wastecooking oil and fresh cooking oil, but there are few options availableto automate, monitor, measure and manage a users' oil use, allowing auser to have greater control of their fry oil usage. Consequently, aneffective solution is necessary.

There is a need for an automated data management system that monitorswaste oil, oil filtration, and fresh oil, and that allows a user totrack usage and collection volumes and compare relevant data. Thepresent invention discloses an oil monitoring device or integratedcontrol panel designed primarily to monitor, measure, and displaymeasurement parameters for containers of fresh oil and/or waste oil andoil filtration, and also discloses that the monitoring device orintegrated control panel can be linked to one or more computers, any oneof which may function as a data management system. The monitoring deviceor integrated control panel may be linked to computer by hard wire, bywireless connection or cellular network, etc. The system allows a userto have greater control over fry oil usage, and allows the user to trackthe data online, any time, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.The system also allows a variety of individuals to track the entire oiluse process, for example, customers, their franchisees and waste oilrecovery companies, and the like. Thus, the system provides managementof fry oil usage, which helps to reduce oil use, lower costs, andincrease profits.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof,comprises an oil monitoring device or integrated control panel designedprimarily to monitor, measure, and display measurement parameters for acontainer of fresh oil, a container of waste oil and filtration of oilin an oil usage system. The system comprises an oil system fordispensing fresh oil, a waste oil collection tank, and appropriatevalving and plumbing connecting the fresh oil system, the fryer units,and the waste oil collection tank. The waste oil collection tank isfitted with appropriate exit plumbing and valving to allow the removalof the waste oil by the waste oil collection and recovery truck.

The monitoring device can be positioned on the container of oil, or canbe positioned proximate to the container or remotely connected, as longas the monitoring device remains in communication with the container.The monitoring device comprises or is in communication with real-timelevel sensors that are in communication with the container of fresh andused cooking oil. The level sensors, by their measurement and analysisof real-time volume, reflect remaining fresh, usage and collectionvolumes, as well as filtration status in real-time and displays theinformation to a user via a display. Other information displayed mayinclude: temperature in the collection tank, whether fill valve is openor closed, whether empty valve is open or closed etc.

Furthermore in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, themonitoring device comprises alarms and/or user alerts. For example, analarm can be sounded when the fresh oil supply reaches a predeterminedor pre-set certain level so that a user knows to re-fill the tank, or analarm can be sounded when the waste oil tank reaches a ‘full’ level sothat a user can empty the tank, or a waste oil collection and recoverycompany can be notified to come and empty the tank. Additionally, useralerts and/or alarms can also be sent if the monitoring device displaysany diagnostic warnings. Diagnostic warnings include, but are notlimited to the following: full tank, low tank, empty tank, open valve,internet failure, etc. The monitoring device can be a stand-alonedevice, or can be linked to one or more computers, any one of which mayfunction as a data management system. All data may be displayed visuallyat the control panel or via user interface such as a computer linked byhard wire or wireless connection or cellular network.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intendedto include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages andnovel features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and still other objects and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the detailed explanation of thepreferred embodiments of the invention in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart comprising a schematic representation of the oilflow in the entire oil handling and monitoring system;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart comprising a schematic representation of the datatransfer in the entire oil handling and monitoring system;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart comprising a schematic representation of a portionof the data transfer;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart comprising a schematic representation of the datatransfer in the fresh oil portion of the system;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart comprising a schematic representation of the datatransfer in the recovery and filtration portion of the system;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the integrated control panel;

FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b depict a flowchart comprising a schematicrepresentation of the logic of the fresh oil monitoring process; and

FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b depict a flowchart comprising a schematicrepresentation of the logic of the recovery and filtration oilmonitoring process.

FIGS. 9-20 are electrical schematics of the integrated control panel.

FIG. 21 illustrates a diagram of the entire oil system.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the level sensor component.

FIG. 23 is a side cross-sectional view of the level sensor component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to facilitate a description thereof.

The present invention discloses an automated data management system incommunication with an oil monitoring device or an integrated controlpanel that monitors the use of fresh oil, the collection of waste oilfor recovery, and oil filtration, and that allows a user to track usageand collection volumes and to evaluate, over time, relevant use,filtration and collection statistics. The present invention discloses anoil monitoring device or integrated control panel designed primarily tomonitor, measure, and display measurement parameters for a container offresh oil and/or waste oil and filtration of the oil, and also disclosesthat the monitoring device can be linked to one or more computers tofunction as a data management system. The monitoring device can bepositioned on the container of fresh oil or waste oil, or can bepositioned proximate to either container or remotely connected, as longas the monitoring device remains in communication with the container,wherein this communication can be either hardwired or wireless. Themonitoring device communicates with real-time level sensors, fresh oilfill pump, fryer fill switch, float switch, fill shut off valve, wasteoil pumpout enable valve, and recover/filter pump as well as itscorresponding valves that are also in communication with the appropriatecontainer of cooking oil. Both the fresh oil container and waste oilcontainer have level sensors, flow shutoff valves and pumps thatcommunicate with the monitoring device. The waste oil level sensormeasures usage and collection volumes, as well as filtration status ofthe container in real-time and displays the information to a user via adisplay. Level sensors may be any kind, including a single liquid levelfloat. The level sensor that is most preferred is an ultrasonic leveldetector that is capable of withstanding the severe environment of hotused cooking oil and grease.

Thus, the system allows a user to have greater control over fry oilusage, and allows the user to track the accumulated data online, anytime, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Thus, the systemprovides management of fry oil usage, which helps to reduce oil use,lower costs, and increase profits.

A user can then access his or her data and view any data reports on-linevia a user interface. The data can be customized and prepared as charts,spreadsheets, graphs, etc., or any other suitable means for displayingdata. A user can then print and download the data, reports, etc. to hisor her computer system, smart phone, tablet or other electronic device.Charts and data for any past period of time may be stored on one or morethan one server.

The user would position the integrated control panel on (or proximateto) a waste oil container and/or a fresh oil container and wouldposition the level sensor in communication with the waste oil containerand/or the fresh oil container. The integrated control panel would thenmonitor and measure the waste oil, oil filtration and fresh oil of thecontainers, and transient signals effecting those measurements to anappropriate user interface thus allowing the user to track usage andcollection volumes and compare relevant data. For example, a user mayanalyze the data to evaluate whether the cooking oil is being filteredtoo frequently. A user may also track the information to evaluatewhether the oil is being transferred to the waste oil collection tanktoo frequently (or too infrequently). The data would then be transferredto a web server and there on to a user interface where it is managed andmonitored. Users can then access their data and view reports any timeon-line.

Users would log into a web page by entering a username and password, forsecurity purposes. Once logged-in, another web page will open where auser would see a list of all his or her stores and information on oilusage and collection for each store in spreadsheet form. For example,the second and third columns of the spreadsheet could show each store'sfresh oil and waste oil system usage, broken down by the current date,the week to date, month to date, and year to date. The fourth column ofthe spreadsheet could show filtration status, and the last column couldindicate how many gallons of waste oil have been collected, startingwith the most recent collection and then current week to date and yearto date. In this way, a user can track the value of the waste oilcollected, and the amount of rebate to be expected from the waste oilcollection company. A user would also have the option of setting theirstores' filtering intervals and times according to their own needs. Auser can then save and/or print the web page as a spreadsheet report orcan simply print the web page as is by clicking on the links at thebottom of the web page.

Additionally, blocks of color in certain columns of the spreadsheetcould be used to indicate alarms or up-to-the-minute status of thesystem. A user would refer to the color key at the top of the chart tointerpret what the different colors would mean. Further, whenever a userwould see one of the colors on a block of data, it would also mean thatan email or text alarm will be sent to a designated person or persons(e.g., the district manager) so that the proper actions may be taken.

For a user to obtain additional details on any one store's specificusage, a user clicks on the store number link in the list of thespreadsheet, which will take the user to a web page displaying thestore's specific sensor information and readings on the waste oilsystem, fresh oil system and filtration system. Additionally, in theSensor Information section of the web page, there are buttons to allowremote opening or closing of the collection port valve. Further, theuser's waste oil collection company would be given a username andpassword so that the collection company can open and close the valve asnecessary. The valve can also be set to open at a pre-set time, savingthe collection company time.

In the Waste Oil System and Fresh Oil System sections of the web page, auser can view customized data readings as charts or as spreadsheets. Auser would simply enter a begin date and an end date for any time periodfor which the user would want to create a detailed report. A user wouldbe able to retrieve data from anytime as far back as the date the user'ssystem was installed. A user can also customize the way he or she wantsto view their report. A user clicks on the ‘Chart’ button of the webpage and obtains a graph plotting usage during that time period. A userthen clicks on the ‘Spreadsheet/Excel’ button of the web page to viewthe same period in spreadsheet format. A user can also click on ‘ViewData’ of the web page to see the numerical parameters used to create thechart. A user can then print or download the reports to his or hercomputer system, thus allowing a user to keep track of their oil usagefrom month to month or even compare yearly data for up to any number ofyears. Typically, charts for the last thirty days of waste oil and freshoil readings are always available and can be printed or downloaded to auser's computer system. If a user rolls their mouse over a chart, theuser will see the gallon reading at each point on the graph. A user thensimply logs-out when they are finished, and can check reports again asoften as they want to.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a flowchart depicting theflow of oil through the entire system. As the oil travels through thesystem, data is measured, transferred to any computer and may then beanalyzed for the user by the data transfer and analysis system shown inFIGS. 2-3.

FIG. 2 illustrates the integrated web reporting data management system.The system comprises an integrated control panel 50 that is incommunication with a waste oil container 90, and/or a fresh oilcontainer 60. Real-time level sensors send signals reflective of volumesto the integrated control panel 50. The integrated control panel 50 thentransfers the volume data to the data transfer and analysis system 40through which it is accessible by a customer 10, a store 20, a waste oilpick-up company 30, or any other end authorized end user.

FIG. 3 illustrates the path the information travels through the datatransfer and analysis system. The integrated control panel 50 isconnected to a router or internet interface 42 via communication path 45which is any suitable means known in the art (meaning hard-wired orwireless connection or cellular network), which is in communication witha server 43 via communication path 45 which is any suitable means as isknown in the art. The server 43 can then be accessed by the authorizedend user via the user interface 44. The integrated control panel 50 isthen monitored and managed via server 43. The server 43 in communicationwith any computer or user interface device allows a user to monitor andmeasure their waste oil, oil filtration, and fresh oil, thus allowing auser to track usage and collection volumes and compare statistics daily,weekly, and/or monthly via standard data handling techniques. Automaticalarms and/or user alerts can be sent by email or text to users whenspecific events occur. For example, an alarm can be triggered when thefresh oil supply reaches a predetermined or preset certain level so thata user knows to re-fill the tank, or an alarm can be triggered when thewaste oil tank reaches a predetermined or preset ‘full’ level so that auser can empty the tank, or an oil collection company can beautomatically notified to come and empty the tank. Additionally, useralerts and/or alarms can also be sent if the monitoring device displaysany diagnostic warnings. Further, when needed, diagnostic warnings arealso sent simultaneously to any store manager or district manager, andalso to Frontline® service technicians.

Furthermore, the server 43 (and/or its router or cellular interface 42or user interface 44) can also control and allow for the remote openingor closing of the collection port valve 100, as shown in FIG. 2, suchthat users do not have to monitor who is opening or closing the portvalve 100. Typically, a user's waste oil collection company would begiven a username and password so they can open and close the valve asnecessary. The port valve can also be set to open at a pre-set time,which can save the collection company time.

FIG. 4 illustrates the communication between the integrated controlpanel 50 and the fresh oil container 60. The fresh oil container 60 canbe any container, including, without limitation, boxes, tins, bags,jugs, etc. as is known in the art without affecting the overall conceptof the invention. The integrated control panel 50 can be positioned onthe fresh oil container 60, or can be positioned proximate to the freshoil container 60, or even positioned away from the fresh oil container60 such as in a loading dock area, or can be positioned at any othersuitable position as is known in the art as long as the integratedcontrol panel 50 remains in communication with the fresh oil container60, wherein this communication can be either hardwired or wireless. Ifpositioned on the fresh oil container 60, the integrated control panel50 can be welded to the container or secured via fasteners, such asscrews, bolts, sealing rings, or any other means as is known in the art.Additionally, the fasteners would typically comprise a gasket to preventleaks.

The integrated control panel 50 is typically powered via AC power, butcould be powered via any other means as is known in the art, such asbatteries, solar power, etc. The integrated control panel 50 incommunication with the fresh oil container 60 comprises measurementcontrols and gauges that can be arranged in any configuration as isknown in the art. The integrated control panel 50 communicates with areal-time level sensor 61, a fresh oil fill pump 62, a fryer fill switch63, a float switch 64, a fill shutoff valve 65, a waste oil pumpoutenable valve 66 or any other sensor that can measure any other suitableparameter of the fresh oil container 60 as is known in the art, such asdiagnostic problems, valve openings/closings, etc. without affecting theoverall concept of the invention as all of these sensors are incommunication with the fresh oil container 60 as well. The level sensor61, of conventional design and construction as is known in the art,would monitor the level of oil in the container. The fresh oil fill pump62 would control the filter pump, pushing the filter pump button turnson the filter pump for a predetermined or preset amount of time. Thefloat level switch 64 is optionally used to indicate that a container offresh oil is empty and needs to be changed. The fill shutoff valve 65closes an inlet valve once waste oil in the container reaches a certainlevel and opens the inlet valve when the waste oil has been removed fromthe container. The optional waste oil pump-out enable valve 66 opens thepump-out valve when the container is full and waste oil needs to bepumped out, and closes the pump-out valve when the container is emptyand ready to be filled. That information can be read on the displaypanel 51 of the integrated control panel or when transferred via thedata transfer and analysis system 40 it can be read on a computer,tablet, mobile phone or other user interface 44. Generally, the levelsensor 61 is a typically constructed sensor as is known in the art, andcan be a frequency sensor, a current sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, athermostatic sensor, a mechanical sensor, etc., or any other suitablesensing means.

FIG. 5 illustrates the communication between the integrated controlpanel 50 and the waste oil container 90. The integrated control panel 50in communication with the waste oil container 90 comprises measurementcontrols and gauges that can be arranged in any configuration as isknown in the art. Specifically, the monitoring device comprises a levelsensor 91, a filter pump control 92, a fill shutoff valve 93, andoptionally a waste oil pump-out enable valve 94. The level sensor 91would monitor the level of oil in the container. The filter pump 92would control the filter pump, for example pushing the filter pumpbutton turns on the filter pump for approximately fifteen (15) minutes.The fill shutoff valve 93 closes an inlet valve once waste oil in thecontainer reaches a certain level and opens the inlet valve when thewaste oil has been removed from the container. The optional waste oilpump-out enable valve 94 opens the pump-out valve when the container isfull and waste oil needs to be pumped out, and closes the pump-out valve(and may be remotely controlled) when the container is empty and readyto be filled. Valve 94 also contains a valve position sensor that is incommunication with the integrated control panel 50. Valve positionsensor may be password protected for preventing unsecured access to thevalve. The recovery and filtration system is previously described anddisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,531 to Palazzo.

Level sensor 91 may be selected from a variety of known liquid levelsensors. When level sensor 91 is an ultrasonic sensor, variations oftemperature, pressure and humidity may prevent accurate level detection.Installing a vent 97 along with a ventilation fan 96 at or near theattachment point 95 for level sensor 91 which is placed at a locationabove the level of the liquid measured, as more fully shown in FIGS. 22and 23, alleviates problems associated with the variation oftemperature, pressure and humidity, providing more consistent andaccurate level detection than that achieved previously.

FIG. 6 illustrates the front view of the integrated control panel 50.The fill pump button 52 is typically not mounted on the integratedcontrol panel 50; however, a pressure switch is plugged into the fillpump switch port. The pressure switch is used to indicate that the fillpump must be turned on to pump fresh oil. It can be connected in one oftwo modes. It can be a dry contact and is connected to the fill pumpswitch input 53. In this mode, the integrated control panel will turn onthe fill pump and log the event. It can also be connected to the fillpump directly, by switching the AC line. In this mode, a relay with anAC coil is required to connect to the fill pump switch input to log theevent.

Typically, the integrated control panel 50 is rectangular shaped,however any other suitable shape can be used as is known in the artwithout affecting the overall concept of the invention. The integratedcontrol panel 50 would generally be constructed of metal, such asaluminum or stainless steel or a specifically engineered plastic, suchas a specialized polyethylene terephthalate (PET), though any othersuitable material may be used to manufacture the integrated controlpanel 50 as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept ofthe invention. The integrated control panel 50 is approximately between3 and 12 inches in length as measured from top to bottom, approximatelybetween 5 and 10 inches wide as measured from side to side, andapproximately between 1 and 5 inches thick, as measured from front toback. However, any suitable size can be used as is known in the art andas warranted by the needs and wants of the user depending on the typeand size of container being measured and monitored.

The integrated control panel 50 may further comprise gauges and buttons,dials, switches, or any other suitable devices to measure and monitorusage and collection volumes, filtration status, and any othermeasurement variable as is known in the art and desirable to the user.These gauges, buttons, dials, switches, etc., can be arranged in anyconfiguration as is known in the art, and can include differentmeasurement controls depending on the container that the integratedcontrol panel 50 is attached to. For example, if the integrated controlpanel 50 is secured to a waste oil container, the integrated controlpanel 50 would comprise a level sensor, a filter pump control, a fillshutoff valve, and optionally a waste oil pump-out enable valve. Thelevel sensor would monitor the level of oil in the container. The filterpump control would control the filter pump. Pushing the filter pumpbutton turns on the filter pump for a predetermined or preset amount oftime. The fill shutoff valve closes an inlet valve once waste oil in thecontainer reaches a certain level and opens the inlet valve when thewaste oil has been removed from the container. And, the optional wasteoil pump-out enable valve opens the pump-out valve when the container isfull and waste oil needs to be pumped-out, and closes the pump-out valvewhen the container is empty and ready to be filled.

Furthermore, depending on the variables being measured or monitored, theintegrated control panel 50 can comprise alarms and/or user alerts. Forexample, an alarm can be triggered when the fresh oil supply reaches acertain level so that a user knows to re-fill the tank, or an alarm canbe triggered when the waste oil tank reaches a ‘full’ level so that auser can empty the tank, or an oil collection company can beautomatically notified to come and empty the tank. Additionally, useralerts and/or alarms can also be sent if the integrated control panel 50displays any diagnostic warnings. Furthermore, the alarms and/or useralerts can be any type of warning response as is known in the art, suchas flashing lights, an audible sound, etc.

In either a waste oil container or a fresh oil container, the integratedcontrol panel 50 can also comprise a flash memory card (not shown) orany other suitable memory device for storing the data and/or forrecording at least a portion of the measurements. This stored and/orrecorded data can be used to create data reports or data logs for theuser. Additionally, the integrated control panel 50 can be a stand-alonedevice that monitors and measures, and then displays the measurementstaken via a display 51; however, the integrated control panel 50 canalso interact with and be linked to a computer program to function as adata management system which connects to the Internet.

As previously discussed, the integrated control panel 50 is connected tothe fresh oil container 60 and as the integrated control panel 50receives data through the various sensors previously discussed, theintegrated control panel 50 processes the data received and controls theconnected valves and pumps according to the logic flowchart in FIGS. 7aand 7 b.

Similarly, the integrated control panel 50 is connected to the waste oilcontainer 90 and filtration loop 80 and as the integrated control panel50 receives data through the various sensors previously discussed. Theintegrated control panel 50 processes the data received and controls theconnected valves and pumps according to the logic flowchart in FIGS. 8aand 8 b.

The schematics in FIGS. 9-20 show in greater detail the circuitry forthe integrated control panel.

FIG. 21 illustrates a diagram of an entire oil system. The embodiment ofthe oil system depicted includes a fresh oil container 60, a fryer 70,and a waste oil container 90, all of which are in communication with anintegrated control panel 50. The fresh oil container 60, fryer 70, wasteoil container 90, and truck 110 are shown as connected via plumbing (notnumbered) to handle the flow of oil. The integrated control panel 50operates in communication with every piece of the system, and thevarious valves, pumps and sensors associated with each piece, includingthe waste oil pumpout enable valve 94 or the level sensor 91, through adata communication connection 46. The sensor or ancillary computer (notshown) and the integrated control panel 50 accumulates data from eachallowing management of the oil usage in the system. The integratedcontrol panel 50 is also connected via a communication path 45, which isany suitable means known in the art (meaning hard-wired or wirelessconnection or cellular network), to an end user who can access andmonitor the data collected by the integrated control panel 50.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention are presented for purposes of illustration and description.They are not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention toprecise forms disclosed and, obviously, many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching. For example, itis also contemplated that the system can be used to monitor not justcooking oil, but any type of oil as is known in the art, such as motoroil, hydraulic oil, etc. It is further contemplated that the system canbe used to monitor any fluid in general, as is known in the art. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explainprinciples of the invention and its practical application, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and itsvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and theirequivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited onlyby the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An oil recovery system comprising: a waste oilreceptacle; an oil monitoring and control device in communication withthe waste oil receptacle; a user interface in communication with the oilmonitoring and control device; a fluid level measuring means in thewaste oil receptacle, wherein, the fluid level measuring means comprisesa sensor, a fan, and a vent, wherein said fan and vent are provided tocontrol variations of temperature, pressure, and humidity in order tomore accurately sense the level of waste oil in the receptacle, saidfluid level measuring means is in communication with the oil monitoringdevice; an alarm means set to a predetermined fluid level of the wasteoil in the receptacle for transmitting an alert to the user interface inresponse to a detection of that predetermined level; a remotelycontrolled valve for opening and closing the waste oil receptacle, whichopening or closing occurs in response to a signal from the oilmonitoring and control device; and a valve position detection means fordetecting the position of the remotely controlled valve utilized inopening and closing the waste oil receptacle and for transmitting asignal reflective of that position to the user interface.
 2. An oilrecovery system of claim 1, further comprising a password protectedsecurity means for preventing unsecured access to the remotelycontrolled valve utilized in opening and closing the waste oilreceptacle.
 3. An oil recovery system of claim 2, further comprising avalve position detection means for detecting the position of a valveutilized in opening and closing the filtration loop of the system.
 4. Amethod automating and monitoring the removal of waste oil from afacility using the apparatus of claim 1, the method comprising the stepsof: monitoring the quality of oil being used; transmitting a firstsignal to a data transfer and analysis system reflective of themonitored quality; receiving the data from the first signal andcomparing that data with a predetermined standard reflective of themonitored quality; transferring the oil to a waste oil receptacle whenthe predetermined standard reflective of the monitored quality issatisfied; monitoring the volume of oil in the waste oil receptacle;transmitting a second signal to a data transfer and analysis systemreflective of that volume; receiving the data from the second signal andcomparing that data with a predetermined standard reflective of thatvolume; transmitting an alert to a user when the data from the secondsignal is reflective of a volume that exceeds the predeterminedstandard; monitoring the position of a remotely controlled valveutilized to in opening and closing the waste oil receptacle; opening theremotely controlled valve; transferring the oil from the waste oilreceptacle to a removal vehicle; and transmitting a third signal to adata transfer and analysis system reflective of the volume of waste oiltransferred.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein a fan and vent combinationis used to ensure accurate measurements of the volume of oil in thewaste oil receptacle.
 6. The method of claim 4 further comprisingpassword protecting the remotely controlled valve whereby the valve mayonly be opened in response to a user-input password that matched apre-set password in the data transfer and analysis system.
 7. The methodof claim 4 further comprising a filtering process that comprises theadditional steps: transmitting an alert to a user when the data from thefirst signal reflective of the monitored quality is reflective of an oilquality that falls below a predetermined level; and filtering the oil inresponse to a user input while concurrently sending a signal to a datatransfer and analysis system reflecting such filtering.